Coal-chute



(No Model.)

J. VINSON.

GOAL OHUTE.

No. 270,919. Patented Jan.28 ,18 83.

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UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN VINSON, OF KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE.

COAL-CHUTE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 270,919, dated January 23, 1883.

Application filed September 11, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom 215 may concern Be it known that I, JOHN VINSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Knoxville, in

' the county of Knox and State of Tenn ssee,

haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Goal-Chutes; and 1 do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part ofthis specification, and to. the letters and figures of rel'erence marked thereon.

Figure l of the drawings is a perspective view of my invention, and Fig. 2 a sectional elevation of the same.

The present invention has relation to certain new and useful improvements inthat class of coal-chutes provided with a hinged door or curtain, which, when thrown open, forms a continuation of the chute, and also an inner hinged door opened by the weight of'the coal.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of the above-mentioned class of coal-chutes, whereby strength, durability, and simplicity are obtained, and the operation of delivering the coal more effective and certain, as well as the closing of the chute to prevent the escape of the coal or fine particles thereof. These several objects I attain by the construction substantially as shown in the drawings and hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents the platform to receive the coal, it being provided with sides a, of sufficient depth to retain the coal thereon when dumped from the cars. This platform A is supported at a sufli-' cient height from the ground by suitable posts, b, and has upon its under side one or more chutes, B, which may be of a certain size to hold agiven amount of coal. By the employment of the platform A, and having the chutes directly under it, it will he sen that when the coal is delivered from the cars it is received upon the platform and passes down to fill the chutes, thereby saving much time and labor in lifting the coal to get it in the chutes. Each chute, when more than one are used, is provided at its front with a stationary panel, 0, rigidly secured thereto, and to the lower part of which is hinged a door, D. The addition of the panel 0 enables the door D to be hinged at a point midway between the upper and lower edge of the chute, or, in other words, at about .thecenterthereof,therebyrenderingthehinged door much easier in itsoperation, withless power, as any perceptible pressure from the coal in the chute will open it when the usual apron, E, is let down. This apron E is hinged to ears secured to the front side of short upright posts 0, and when in the position as shown in Fig. 1 forms a continuation of the chute. The apron E is provided with the usual cords or chains, (1, and weights 0, for closing it, said cords or chains passing over grooved pulleys f. These pulleys have their hearings in the posts 0, which are cut away to receive them, thus to'a certain extent to protect the journals and bearings of said pulleys from the fine coal dust or dirt, and thereby preventing them from getting clogged and becoming inoperative. i

The hinged door D has secured to its front side flat curved springs F, which are of suffi cient length to extend a short distance below the lower edge of said door and bear upon the bottom of the chute, thereby preventing the door from assuming a vertical position or becoming wedged agaiustthe bottom of the chute. Vhen the coal has all passed out the chute the cords or chains and weights will carry the curtain back to its closed position, and, as it;

comes in contact with the springs upon the hinged door, close and hold it from being ac cidentally closed.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with the chute B and apron E, of the hinged door D, having secured to its outer side flat curved springs F, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The platform A, having one or more chutes, B, with hinged doors D, carrying springs F, in combination with the apron E, cords or chains d, weights 0, and pulleysf, all

constructed and arranged to operate substan- .tially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN VINSON. Witnesses:

F. P. STERcnr, J. T. MUNSEY. 

